Skelton sets sights on NRL debut

A new era is dawning at Belmore under rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo but amongst the hype of several marquee signings, a cross-code star is flying under the radar.

Rugby union convert Jeral Skelton had just six games to prove he deserved a spot in the Bulldog's top 30 after securing a train-and-trial contract in 2022, but after impressing with the NSW Cup side, will now turn his focus towards his NRL dream.

Proving his wares at centre with three tries, 42 tackle breaks and an average of 136 metres, the emerging outside back has found himself one step closer to an NRL debut where he will aim to feature in the blue and white alongside big-name recruits Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Ryan Sutton.

“When the Bulldogs reached out, I also had the opportunity to go to Japan and play union, but I took the risk and signed the train and trial at the Bulldogs. It just felt like the right time for me," Skelton told NRL.com.

“I told my dad that if I made the switch to league then I’ll give everything I have to make the squad.

“There was a lot of uncertainty around my future but as soon as I made the decision to stay, I knew it was right. I just wanted to back myself and give it my all.

“Now I get a chance to do a pre-season with the top 30, an NRL debut is next year is definitely the goal.”

If you asked Skelton this time last year what he wanted to be, a Wallaby would have been his answer.

Growing up playing rugby league in Redcliffe, Skelton was first introduced to rugby playing for St Patrick’s College in Shorncliffe, where he went on to join the Melbourne Rebels in the Australian Super Rugby competition.

“Throughout all my junior footy I played league for the Albany Creek crushers, but as soon as I went to a private school that’s when I switched to rugby union,” he said.

“My dream when I was playing rugby (union) was to play as many Super Rugby games as possible and hopefully play for Australia one day. That was my end goal.

“But after doing my ACL and a few other injuries when I was playing for the Melbourne Rebels, I think that matured me as a player and I started to think about my future more.

“I’ve represented Australia in rugby sevens and always thought I wanted to play for the Wallabies but after being handed an opportunity in rugby league I thought it was now or never.”

An explosive centre, Skelton is doing everything he can to nail down a spot in Ciraldo’s top 17 and believes he has the “support crew” at Belmore to get there.

“I would love to play centre and wing. Those two are the main positions that I’m aiming to play,” he said.

“I didn’t know league players as much but the players I look up to are more older players that have been around the club.

“Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been looking after me a lot and I’ve tried to learn as much as possible from him. Obviously, he plays in the forwards but he helps me around training if I ever need to get my head around something.

"Jayden Okunbor has also really looked after me. He took me under his wing as soon as I got here.

"I’m happy I made the switch to rugby league. I think I see myself playing league as long as possible."